The Press SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1968. Lessons From The Wahine

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31862, 14 December 1968, Page 12

The Press SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1968. Lessons From The Wahine

The most reassuring part of the report of the Court of Inquiry into the Wahine disaster describes the storm of April 10 as the worst recorded in New Zealand. Those aboard the vessel on that day met conditions which no living mariner had ever before had to cope with in New Zealand waters, and the like of which might never again be seen by passengers on the inter-island steamer. The Court would have been failing in its duty, however, if it had decided that such a possibility was so remote that no steps need be taken to prepare against a recurrence. The Court has pointed to deficiencies in the design of the ship, in its handling, and in procedures on board and on shore which can and should be made good. The Court has also criticised the master of the vessel, its owners, and others for errors of judgment. Firmly and cogently expressed by the Court in its proper concern to ensure that the lessons of the disaster are neither overlooked nor obscured, the criticisms are nevertheless tempered by forbearance and a compassionate understanding of the frailty of human judgment in times of unprecedented stress. Similar errors of judgment are unlikely to be repeated in any serious emergency on New Zealand coasts for a generation, for a maritime accident on this scale is closelv studied by everyone whose livelihood depends on the sea. The Court’s inauiry should help to prevent future losses of vessels carrying vehicles, for its recommendations on additional safety measures for vehicular decks will come to the notice of the world’s maior designers and builders. Shortcomings in seamanship—such as failing to ready the ship’s anchors when approaching dangerous waters —became anparent during the inquiry. The master of the Wahine probably erred no more in this respect than dozens of other shin’s officers who have sailed the New Zealand coasts for vears without incident They will all have been alerted to the dangers they have been courting. Lifeboat drills tor crew and passengers—previously taken as something of a joke on an overnight trip—should henceforth become part of the routine of everv passenger ship. Wireless operators on shins, and signalmen ashore, must keep the ships’ officers better posted when storms threaten; in an emergency they must be put to better use to alert tugs and rescue organisations.

Much of the evidence heard bv the Court concerned the preparation, or lack of preparation, of passengers for the fateful order to abandon ship. More lives could have been saved if better use had been made of the shin’s lifeboats, rafts, and safety jackets: but no officer was instructed to see that these things were done. The Court recommends that in future a senior officer on each vessel should have sole responsibility as damage control officer. It may be argued whether it is necessarv or even desirable to carry a supernumerary officer for this sole purpose; but there will be no argument about the need for a senior officer to be entrusted with this specific responsibility.

The Court’s report draws to a close the saddest chapter in the history of New Zealand’s merchant marine. If the lessons of the Wahine disaster are thoroughly learned there should never be another like it.